Don't give up!

Don't give up.
(excerpt from the new book "7 Dimensions of the anointing"
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Jairus...Mark 5:22-43

Jairus had a family problem. His daughter was ill to the point of death. We are not told how many children Jairus had but we know he had a very sick daughter! My wife and I have only one daughter and I can tell you that twice she has had life-threatening situations. So I can just imagine his anxiety as he goes searching for solution and ends at meeting with Jesus.

As a ruler of the synagogue, Jairus was well known in the community. He was a man in leadership. It took courage and humility to come and fall at the feet of Jesus publicly. He did not come in his official capacity but as a man desperately looking for a solution. His action was totally against Jewish custom, tradition and culture. Jews don't worship man! Jairus must have recognized that Jesus was no ordinary man. When he bowed before Jesus, he recognized higher authority. His action proclaimed Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, the son of David sent to save the world.

As I have mentioned before, in Mark chapter five, we see the supernatural power of God at work through Jesus as he delivers a young man possessed by demons name legions, healing a woman suffering from blood disease for twelve years and then miraculously resurrecting Jairus daughter. Jesus delivers, heals and operates miracles. But all three of these had an attitude in common. They all fell at His feet. Falling at the feet of Jesus shows humility and worship. Their worship was not a private affair. They did this openly. People saw them coming and worshipping Jesus.

After the deliverance of the man of Gadara, Jesus crossed the lake and went to the other side of the country. A crowd followed Him and Jairus approached him with a request: "Master my daughter is about to die, come and lay your hands on her that she may be healed and live." That was faith speaking out of his heart. Although he left her at the point of death, he approached Him with faith in his request believing that he can do something for his daughter. His prayer was coupled with faith. Jesus agreed and followed him. An attitude of worship and faith always attracts the presence of God. They begun to walk towards the house. In the process, a woman also having faith approached Jesus and seized her healing. Suddenly Jesus stopped! He asked: "Who touched me?" Imagine what is going through Jairus' mind at this point. Time was against them and he approached Jesus first, yet here comes a woman testifying how His power healed her.

As she testified and told Jesus and the people how many doctors she has seen and the amount of money she has spent, Jairus grew the more impatient! When all of a sudden a messenger arrived on a horse and announced the dreaded news that his daughter is dead. The thing that he didn't expect has occurred. Sadness and tears begun to seize Jairus. He didn't want to hear that and the messenger told him that there was no need to bother the Master. Right there Jairus could have given up. He could have abandoned his dream of seeing his daughter healed. In his mind, he can only imagine how she was happy and played with daddy but now all hope has gone as she has moved into the point of no return. But Jesus having heard the news reassured Jairus and said:"don't be afraid, just keep on believing and trusting."

At this point, many of us would have given up and would have been offended. It seemed Jesus took his time. He wanted to know who touched him even though He was crowded and then hear this lady give her testimony. "I was here first" could have echoed in Jairus' mind as he begins to contemplate the situation. He could have been offended at Jesus and then the woman with the issue of blood. He could have moved into anger when the messenger told him to not bother the Master. No one was in his shoes! No one knew how he really felt inside. The pain, the anger, the offense and the sadness all pumping inside affecting his mind and emotions. This is precisely why many Christians give up. These negative emotions and thoughts pushes us to abandon our prayer and dreams.

In this situation, Jairus is learning self-control and patience. Two important factors that keeps us strong and persevering until we receive what was promised by God. It was a test of his character. We may face trials, difficulties, persecutions, accusations and disasters but it may be a test to see where we go and what we do! Will we still depend on the Word and rely on His presence and promises? Will trouble make us walk out and go away from God or bring us closer to God? Will we be influenced by the opinions of others or do we maintain our focus in Christ? Do we allow offense to suffocate our faith? Will fear torment our mind and annul our faith? Jairus' faith has been under attack since he first went to Jesus. But the Word of God says: "Our faith overcomes the world".

If Jairus gives up, he accepts the death of his twelve year old daughter. If he gives up, he has wasted his time. If he gives up, he has showed others that they control his emotions and destiny. Many times you and I, we are "Jairus" faced with a tough decision. Either we abandon our dream, the desire of our heart and destiny or we stay strong and trust the anointed one and His yoke destroying, burden removing, unlimited power to transform our lives and circumstances. It was indeed his continual faith in the anointing of Jesus that made his dream come true. It was his attitude in a difficult situation that made him hold once again in his loving arms his daughter full of life. It was his persevering spirit that turn impossibility to possibility. I want the words "Never give up" to echo in your mind and emotions. I want your heart to fully believe that God can turn your situations around. I want you to be fully persuaded that He that has begun a good work in you will bring it to pass.

We must do what Jesus did and yield to His words of encouragement as he said: Do not fear, only believe". Simply put: "Keep on believing. Keep on keeping on". He wasn't influenced by the messenger's word and opinion. He didn't permit the crowd to follow him. He only took three of his disciples to the house of Jairus. He didn't allow an atmosphere of fear and unbelief to roam. He threw out the mockers. He cast out the death spirit! It is something that you and I must do in order to see our miracles. Chose our friends and the voices that influence and affect us. Refuse discouragement! Don't lose hope! Jesus is still here and willing. Rise up and pursue your dream. Don't let go of God's hands. The manifested presence operates in an atmosphere of faith. Faith expects to see results. It puts a demand on the anointing. The anointing never disappoints.

You must reach a point in your life where nothing and no one will stop you achieving your God-given dream and destiny. We may face delays but we will not be denied! Rise above the reproach of people. They may laugh and ridicule us, but with God we will have the last laugh! We possess the spirit of an overcomer. As an overcomer, we refuse to grow weary and lose heart or be discouraged. As an overcomer, we hold on to our due season knowing He makes all things beautiful in His time. We know that a quitter will never win!

Many men of God in the bible could have given up. Noah, Abraham, Moses, Job, David even Jesus could have given up when faced opposition, persecution and even offense. Yet they persevered and pursued their dream. Noah built the ark that saved his family irrespective of the mocking and laughter of others. Abraham held his promised son at the age of a hundred years old. Moses had the strength and courage to face Pharaoh and led the children of Israel out of the slavery of Egypt. Job stayed strong even though he lost his business, workers, children and friends. David fell in sin, lost a son but still became the king of Israel and birth the generation that brought forth the Christ. Jesus came to His own and they refused Him, beat Him, insulted Him, crucified Him yet he rose up again and conquered the grave and hell. Today, you have the same ability in the Holy Spirit and His anointing! You may be tempted to give up... But don't give up!

The grace of God

Paul the writer also received the revelation of grace.
Once known as Saul, a well-known persecutor to Christians, met our Lord on the road to Damascus and had a total life transformation.
 
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" - Eph. 2:8

Grace carries the power of God to set us free.
Grace is God's transforming power.
Paul personally experienced God's grace.

Grace is God's attitude towards us and Faith is our attitude towards God!
Grace is the attitude which God provides Salvation - Faith is how we obtain it.
Grace brings healing, deliverance and peace of mind.


"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." - Gen. 1:26
 
God creates man in His own image & likeness - like no other creation 
 
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. - Gen. 2:7
 
All other creation came as a result of God's spoken word but man had something else...
God forms man out of the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life.
Man had the breath of God - the personal & intimate contact with God.
God invested into man personally.

It's the communion with God that gives man dominion on other creation.

Grace has the power to sanctify and purify the condemned soul.
It has the ability to cleanse even the guilty conscience.
Grace penetrates the spirit, soul and body of man.

Grace grants us the ability to enjoy forgiveness & restoration to communion with God.
Grace takes us from shame to honour.

Grace gives Salvation three components : 
1. Justification - Forgiveness of sin, revocation of curse and right standing with God!
2. Sanctification - set apart from the world and kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light and the ability to be "holy". 
The process of becoming like Christ! 
Sanctification has power to make us 'saints'.
3. Glorification - in two parts (a) in our spirit (b) for our eternity.

Grace strengthen us and produce perseverance and endurance.

Grace is not only a miracle worker but it is a comfort, strength and perseverance when miracles are delayed!

Overcoming bad habits & addictions

In order to overcome the devil, Jesus said "it is written." "It is written!"
"It is written" and the devil left Him. He defeated the devil by speaking the written word. Then angels came and ministered to him. When Satan or evil spirits leave, you will need to be ministered to. It takes energy, persistence and consistency to resist the devil. For every spiritual resistance, there must be spiritual assistance.
I John 2:14 says, "I have written unto you young men, because you are strong, and the Word of God abides in you, and you are victorious over the evil one."
You're strong when the Word of God abides in you. The Word of God is your spiritual assistance and it produces power and energy call spiritual resistance.
John 6:63 says, "It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life."
The spoken words produce spiritual strength and life. 

Build up a habit of speaking the Word of God over your life, family and circumstances.

John 15:7 says, "If you abide in Me, My words abide in you, you shall ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you."
God takes that Word that you have abiding in you and then with your faith works with the Word to produce the promise.
Scriptures describe the achievement of CHRIST for us which MUST BE RECEIVED AND APPLIED through faith in the Word of God, through repentance, through obedience to the Holy Spirit.
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9
"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7
"Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." John 8:36
"…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." I John 3:8
"…For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." Jeremiah 31:34

Getting delivered from ADDICTIONS

Addictions are sometimes passed down from generation to generation. The Bible says that God will visit the iniquity of the fathers up into the third and fourth generations.
So, make a decision today to either be one of the four generations of curses, or you can be the first generation of blessings.
Perry Stone said: "Deliverance takes it out but discipline keeps it out!"
Discipline yourself by the Word of God. Read, meditate and apply.
Jesus said: "As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews (or the British, American, Mauritian...) which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8: 30-32). And then Jesus added: "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (36).

It is the will of God that we are delivered and then disciplined (by the Word) in order to maintain our freedom.We are called disciples of Jesus.

Is a curse affecting your life?

"Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from ALL INIQUITY, and PURIFY unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Titus 2:14
"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree : that the blessing of Abraham might come on the gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the spirit through faith." Galatians 3:13-14
Curses can be broken by the power of the blood of Jesus. You are a new creation. Begin to think in line with the Word.

You have to want to quit the habit more than you want to keep doing it! 

 
If you're battling any addictions and want to be free, then read and study the following scriptures then apply your faith and boldly confess and act upon the Word.
Let's defeat the enemy with the Word. Let's be strong and overcome.

Psalm 27:14
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord.

Read and study: Ephe. 5:18 - Gal. 5:19-21 - Prov. 20:1

Nothing good comes out of bad habits; A lack of self control, careers are destroyed, marriages are torn apart, families are wreaked and lives are thrown away. 
Repent, ask God to forgive you of any sin and to deliver you from any addiction.

 

I recommend that you stay away from people and places that you use to go that has bad and wrong influenced you.

Pornography - porn addiction is usually a secret addiction

Matthew 5:27-30  

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell."

Pluck it out, cut it off: get rid of things that may cause you to sin! Don't go to porn sites, watch porn movies or look for porn magazines.
The root is lust.
Read James 1: 21 - 26

Psalm 55:18
He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle which is against me, for they are many who strive with me.
 

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." 

Gal. 5:1

This weekend 23rd and 24th March on www.7oceansmedia.com , we will broadcast teachings and testimonies of those who have been delivered from pornography and other addictions. Listen to internationally renown best selling author and teacher John Bevere and Christian Gospel Artist & Musician Kirk Franklin. 

Spirit of Python

From the first book of the bible,Genesis, to the last book known as Revelation, the bible describes Satan, the devil, as Serpent. He was there in the Garden and he will be present waging war in the last days.

"Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. " 

Gen.3:1

                                                                                                                                                       

"And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years." 

Rev. 20:2

Jesus Himself referred to Satan, devils and evil spirits as serpents - Luke 10: 17 - 20.

Serpent, a synonym for Snake have fifteen recognized families comprising 456 genera and over 2,900 species.
However, in the book of the Acts of the Apostles, one specific species is mentioned. The Acts of the Apostles was successfully written by Luke the Physician. He could write the book simply because the Apostles acted! They didn't just hear the commandments and instructions of Jesus, but they acted upon the Word. That is what faith is. Faith is to act upon the Word!
We are still living in the dispensation where the Word needs to be believed and acted upon in order to produce.
In Acts 16, Paul and Silas were confronted by a specific spirit referred to as Python. Out of all the species of snake, the bible specifically mentions Python.

What is Python?
Pythons are a family of non-venomous snakes. Among its members are some of the largest snakes in the world. Most members of this family are ambush predators, in that they typically remain motionless in a camouflaged position and then strike suddenly at passing prey. They will generally not attack humans unless startled or provoked. Prey is killed by a process known as constriction, then, by applying and maintaining sufficient pressure to prevent it from inhaling, the prey eventually succumbs due to asphyxiation. Death is caused by suffocation, with the victim not being able to move its ribs to breathe while it is being constricted.

Paul and Silas was on the way to pray and was confronted by a woman demon-possessed with a spirit of python.
Prayer is communion and communication with God. This communion maintain the life of God in us. The spirit of Python is after breath. Breath in the bible refers to the life of God (Gen. 2:7, John 20:21-22). The spirit of python wants to choke the life of God out of you. It squeezes and constrict you as a victim. Suddenly, you feel pressured, burdened, discouraged and the life, love, joy and peace of God is slowly being choked out of you.
Now, you don't feel like praising God. You no longer want to pray and spend time with God. Suddenly, you begin to compromise the Words of God...Python is choking the breath of God out of you...

Want to know more?

Come and listen to this powerful, life changing meeting on Wednesday. This teaching will be available on CD and DVD in Creole. It is a two part series and will help you understand and be delivered from the spirit of python.
Don't be a prey to this spirit. Overcome it by the power of the Word in the name of Jesus. This spirit will try to imprison you like it did with Paul and Silas but if you begin to praise God even when you may not feel like it, then the presence and power of God will manifest to set you free.



References:
Wikipedia
Encyclopedia
Recommendation:
Jentezen Franklin - Spirit of Python available on YOUTUBE